I think I'm about done motoring for the winter..

One guy here once mentioned making his own studded tires by simply driving screws through cheap tires from the inside out.

when I consider that a set of studded tires is likely to run over $100.00, I'm more tempted toward home-made.

After all, the store-bought type ought to last for years. But that also means they have to be preserved all that time to make their cost worthwhile. Likely not worth it.
 
If you are going to make your own studded tires, a couple of tips.

More screws are better than a few screws.
Get Kevlar belts made for wide tires. (to make sure they cover all the heads of the screws)
Don't get screws that are too long. (You want about 1/16 - 1/8" exposed)
The screws will end up where you want them better if you drill small guide holes from the outside first. (You want the tips of the screws centered in the knobs of the tires as best as you can get them)
And last - make sure your electric screwdriver has a good charge. (If you're planning to drive all the screws manually, you must have a lot of idle time on your hands)

Home made studded tires will not wear as well as factory ones. The factory tires use carbide studs and can be used for many years. Home made ones can be used for a couple of years (partly depending on riding style). I still choose to make my own, for a couple of reasons: 1. The cost. and 2. I have so many tires. (the ones I can't use, I have to ship to Washington for disposal)
 
I have discovered another dis-advantage that comes with aging, by the way; controlling body temperature is more difficult.

When I last did any serious winter bicycling (in my 30s) keeping cool while riding in the cold was a bit of a problem. Now, as I'm nearing fifty, it's a good deal more difficult.
My first couple of rides in cold weather a few weeks ago I got so overheated that I got kinda sick. Even had to resort to driving for a few days. But I'm getting the hang of it. This week has been a couple of 21 degree mornings and I've managed it better. But I have found that on my one long uphill I simply must stop and peel off a layer or two. Never had to do that before. That's not a big deal, really. But it hasn't gotten all that cold yet and I'm finding that riding takes a bit more time, if only for the preparation.

Still, it feels very good.
 
We have a lotta good/cold winter riding days. I'm lookin' forward to'em! I'm feeling happier with my bike now that it's been fortified w hd wheels, some springs and real brakes. I ride it every chance I get!
 
If you want the studs to be out near the edges of wide tires, a way to keep the screw heads from popping your tubes is to use 27" smooth tires for liners. Just cut off the metal reinforcement around the edges, cut them to length (leave a little overlap), and stuff them inside your 26" fat tires. There will be a little bit of a bump where they overlap, but It's not noticeable on rough terrain. I put together a set for some extreme riding (goin' ice fishing soon). For riding on regular streets, you would want shorter screws than these 8x1/2". You'd probly want something like 6x3/8".

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Thanks Alaskavan. I imagine that would keep the inner tube safe.

I had my first snow ride in many years this morning. Minor winter storm going on here.
Traction wasn't an issue. But as I went over car tire tracks and imagined them well frozen, I knew I wanted some studs. Guess I'd better get to work on it.
 
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